Lincoln Riley’s move from Oklahoma to USC was a ‘curveball’ filled with emotions

After beginning his teaching profession at Texas Tech and East Carolina, Lincoln Riley’s journey to Oklahoma was a chance that “modified his life.” Riley, who spent seven seasons throughout the Sooners’ program, determined to depart Norman for sunny skies in Los Angeles when he was named USC’s soccer coach in late November. 

Nonetheless, the Lubbock, Texas, native wrote in an article for The Gamers’ Tribune on Wednesday detailing his ideas and feelings on leaving a spot that he “craved for years” to go to USC. When Riley boarded the aircraft for Los Angeles, he was excited but stuffed with some “disappointment” and “guilt” figuring out that Norman—a spot that was greater than a training cease—was “not house for him.”

“There are facets of my departure and transition that I would definitely do in a different way if I might do it once more, and I acknowledge that I might have dealt with some components of the scenario higher,” Riley wrote within the article.

Studies surfaced that USC was anticipated to rent Riley as this system’s subsequent soccer coach a day after Oklahoma State defeated Oklahoma 37–33 on Nov. 28 in Stillwater. Riley had the chance to inform his gamers in individual throughout a workforce assembly, however he desired to do extra. “I want I might have had the time to sit down down with every particular person participant and workers member to elucidate my determination,” he wrote.

Nonetheless, when he arrived at USC, issues moved rapidly for Riley. Whereas embracing the college’s elite teachers and wealthy historical past throughout the soccer program, Riley knew instantly that he joined a college keen to revive its soccer program to its highest stage. 

“The assist from so many Trojan gamers has been actually particular,” Riley wrote. “Lots of the best possible soccer gamers in historical past began their journey at USC, and hopefully we will add just a few extra to the listing.”

The chance for Riley to educate at USC wouldn’t be potential with out former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops giving him a name seven years in the past providing to make him the Sooners’ offensive coordinator. 

“I couldn’t consider that I used to be getting the chance to educate for a Corridor of Famer at such a historic program,” Riley mentioned.

Riley detailed a few of his greatest reminiscences at Oklahoma, together with successful the Sugar Bowl in opposition to Auburn in 2016, recalling Stoops’s phrases after the 2 guided the Sooners to their first convention championship collectively in ’15, watching Baker Mayfield’s ’17 senior day efficiency to successful one of many best Crimson River video games in historical past final season. 

In 5 years as a head coach at Oklahoma from 2017 to ’21, Riley went 55–10 whereas reaching the Faculty Soccer Playoff 3 times. He continued a protracted line of excellence throughout the Sooners soccer program. 

However, as Riley wrote, typically life can throw sudden “curveballs” and alternatives in your course. “Truthfully, I at all times figured I might finish my teaching profession at OU,” Riley mentioned. “However when my agent referred to as me to go alongside curiosity from USC, I used to be instantly intrigued by the probabilities.”

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